ALIGNING HR PRACTICES TO REACH DESIRED HR OUTCOMES. A CASE STUDY APPROACH
ALIGNING HR PRACTICES TO REACH DESIRED HR OUTCOMES. A CASE STUDY APPROACH

Author(s): Carmen Claudia Aruştei
Subject(s): Economy, Human Resources in Economy, Socio-Economic Research
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: HR system; internal fit; HR outcomes; case study;
Summary/Abstract: Many studies were conducted to unlock the `black box` of HRM. Some were oriented on identifying the bundle of HRM practices suitable for certain organizational goals, others on external or internal fit and others on characteristics of a powerful HRM system. At the same time, especially within last two years HR professionals were expected to prove their value, by contributing to organizational performance. Most of the literature uses quantitative methods to find the proper answers. This paper aims at analysing how organisations work on aligning the HR practices that enables them to reach the desired HR outcomes, as well as at investigating the issues of internal HR system ‘fit’. Using a case study approach and a mix-method, sequential design this study was conducted on two Romanian organizations headquartered in North-East region of the country. The qualitative section seeks to find out if the alignment process is a strategic, deliberate one or if it is mainly conducted by external factors. It also aims at identifying the HR system typologies and HR practices used by the two companies. Quantitative results show that HR practices and HR outcomes alignment could be a real challenge if a strategic approach is not considered by the HR professionals.

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